Hector Aguilar had been thinking about running for president, but after getting an A+ at his dental screening during the Dental School’s annual Dental Sealant Clinic, he may be thinking about becoming a dentist.

Aguilar is one of more than 7,500 students from the Edgewood Independent School District who, over the past 11 years, has smiled a little brighter after receiving preventive screenings and dental sealants from dental and dental hygiene students.

"This is a fun event for us and for the children," said Gary Guest, D.D.S., professor and assistant dean for predoctoral clinics. "We choose second-graders because most of them have their first permanent molars. By sealing those teeth with dental plastic coating, we are preventing a lot of dental cavities."

Besides the free dental care received by children who might otherwise not visit a dentist, the youngsters see positive role models, learn about new careers and have the opportunity to visit a higher-education campus.